Title
Presentation: Infrastructure Master Planning
Body
At a City Council strategic planning retreat held in June 2026, a review of the Capital Improvement Plan and associated "Master Planning" was identified as a priority topic of interest and assigned to the Public Works Committee. This presentation will provide a high-level overview of infrastructure master planning that begins with the City's Comprehensive Plan, ends with the Capital Improvement Plan, and supports alignment from long-term vision to near-term project delivery.
The Comprehensive Plan (and Strategic Plan) establishes the blueprint and vision for our community future. The Comprehensive Plan is generally long-term (a horizon of 20 or more years to forecast a full build-out of the City). It is infrequently updated in its entirety, but more frequent updates occur in parts. It consists of an inseparable combination of land use, policy and infrastructure intentions for that guide growth throughout the community. Many infrastructure master plans are adopted in the Comprehensive Plan and those master plans provide future project identification and prioritization over various longer timelines. Those projects and programs address safety, capacity, condition, regulatory, growth and or service demands and expectations. Master planned projects are often incorporated into the Capital Improvement Plan as funding becomes available. The Capital Improvement Plan is the financially constrained implementation of infrastructure projects and programs. The Capital Improvement Plan is comparably short-term (a rolling 5-years) and updated annually. It is a part of the Comprehensive Plan and while limited to infrastructure projects and programs, it critically influences land use. The Capital Improvement Plan may also include infrastructure projects and programs that are not in "Master Plans", but even those projects and programs share alignment with the Comprehensive Plan (and Strategic Plan).
This presentation is informational and educational, but also an opportunity for public discussion, clarification and engagement. As a result of this presentation there should be an increased awareness and understanding of "Master Planning" as sought by the City Council in its goal setting retreat, including the variety and status of master plans that exist in the Comprehensive Plan. After highlighting "Master Planning" and the various infrastructure master plans, the Public Works Committee may want to explore in more detail one or more infrastructure master plans at future meeting(s). The Capital Improvement Plan is reviewed in detail annually by the Public Works Committee, typically beginning with a kickoff presentation to committee in November or December, followed by additional work sessions, presentations and public hearings each and every year. During the Capital Improvement Plan reviews, master planning and project alignment are also covered in brief. The Comprehensive Plan, adopted Master Plans, and Capital Improvement Plan are all available on the City's website. Links to some of those plans are provided below for reference:
Strategic Plan - https://cityofls.net/ignite-your-ideas-our-future
Comprehensive Plan - https://cityofls.net/comprehensive-plan
Master Plan(s) - https://cityofls.net/comprehensive-plan/implementation-tools
Capital Improvement Plan - https://cityofls.net/public-works/infrastructure-capital-projects/capital-improvement-plan-cip
Capital Project Dashboard - https://cityofls.net/public-works/infrastructure-capital-projects/capital-projects-dashboard
Past Elections (Infrastructure Project Commitments) - https://cityofls.net/city-elections/past-city-elections
In concluding the presentation, the "What", "Why", and "How" infrastructure is planned and delivered from the Comprehensive Plan through Master Plans to the Capital Improvement Plan, alignment is maintained so the built environment supports the vision. The presentation will then review project status of committed projects in last three passed elections, including the 2017 CIP Sales Tax projects, 2019 NTIB projects, and 2023 NTIB projects, as a demonstration of this alignment, commitment to planning, progress and delivery.
Presenter
Michael Park, PE, Director of Public Works